2.-NCM-102-Week-3

NCM 102: Health Education

Objectives

• Definitions: Understand and define health, education, and health education.

• Learning Theories: Explore key learning theories relevant to healthcare education including behavioral, cognitive, and social learning theories.

Introduction

• Importance of teaching and learning in nursing education.

• Essential skills for preparing competent and compassionate healthcare professionals.

• Explore principles and theories guiding effective educational experiences in nursing.

Health

• Definition: Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. (World Health Organization, WHO, 2024)

Education

• Definition: A process involving teaching, training, and learning, primarily in schools or colleges to enhance knowledge and skills. (Oxford Advanced American Dictionary)

• Also refers to a specific type of teaching or training.

Health Education

• Definition: According to WHO, health education consists of learning experiences designed to improve individual and community health by enhancing knowledge and influencing attitudes.

Principles and Theories in Teaching and Learning for Nursing Students

A. Learning Theories in Teaching Related to Healthcare

1. Behavioral Theory

• Rooted in the work of behaviorists like B.F. Skinner.

• Focuses on observable behaviors and the role of reinforcement in learning.

• Application in Healthcare Education: Emphasizes the importance of repetition, positive reinforcement, and feedback to shape clinical skills and behaviors.

2. Reinforcement Theory

• Proponent: B.F. Skinner.

• Concept: Behavior is influenced by consequences; positive reinforcement encourages the repetition of desired behaviors.

• Importance of acknowledging and praising positive actions in healthcare learning.

3. Sensory Stimulation Theory

• Proponent: Laird (1985).

• Effective learning occurs when learners' senses are stimulated, particularly the visual sense.

• Enhances learning through multi-sensory teaching approaches.

B. Cognitive Theory

• Emphasizes internal mental processes such as perception, memory, and problem-solving.

• Application in Healthcare Education: Highlights active engagement, critical thinking, and organization of knowledge.

1. Cognitive-Gestalt Approaches

• Focus on experience, meaning, problem-solving, and insights.

• Each learner has unique needs, interpretations, and contexts in understanding information.

C. Social Learning Theory

• Proposed by Albert Bandura; emphasizes social interactions, observation, and modeling in learning.

• In healthcare education, highlights collaborative learning, peer feedback, and role modeling as key components.

Other Theories

1. Holistic Learning Theory

• Acknowledges that individual personality consists of multiple elements that must be activated for effective learning:

  • a. Intellect

  • b. Emotions

  • c. Body impulse (desire)

  • d. Intuition

  • e. Imagination

2. Facilitation Theory (Humanist Approach)

• Proponent: Carl Rogers.

• Learning occurs when educators act as facilitators, creating a comfortable atmosphere for students to consider new ideas.

Characteristics of Facilitation Theory

• Natural eagerness to learn exists within each individual.

• Resistance and unpleasant consequences may occur.

• Significant learning pertains to changing one’s self-concept.

3. Experiential Learning

• Proponent: David Kolb.

• Learning occurs through the accumulation of past and present experiences; learners are not blank slates.

Modes of Learning in Experiential Learning

1. Concrete Experience: Learning through personal past experiences.

2. Observation and Reflection: Gaining insights by observing and listening.

3. Abstract Conceptualization: Learning through thinking and analyzing.

4. Active Experimentation: Engaging in hands-on activities; learners who enjoy involvement and take risks.

References

• Billings, D. M., & Halstead, J. A. (2019). Teaching in nursing: A guide for faculty (6th ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences.